Methods And Apparatus For Use In Forwarding Short Messages For Mobile Communication Devices

ABSTRACT

In one illustrative example, when a message forwarding function is enabled for a mobile communication device which operates in a wireless communication network, an address (e.g. an MSISDN) of the mobile device is assigned to “virtual mobile equipment” in the wireless network. The equipment registers with the wireless network with respect to the address, and stores an association in memory between the address and an alternate address of an alternate communication device. Subsequently, the equipment receives a short message having a destination address that matches the address. In response, the equipment forwards the short message to the alternate address for delivery to the alternate device (e.g. a mobile or server) based on the stored association. When the message forwarding function is disabled for and/or by the mobile device, the address of the mobile device is deassigned from the equipment, so that the mobile device is again able to receive short messages having destination addresses that match the address.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a non-provisional application which claimspriority to provisional application entitled “Methods And Apparatus ForUse In Forwarding Short Messages For Mobile Communication Devices”having application No. 60/863,896 and filing date 1 Nov. 2006.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Technology

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communicationnetworks and devices, and more particularly to Short Message Service(SMS) message delivery techniques within such networks.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are several different types of useful portable electronic deviceson the market today. An end user may own two or more of these electronicdevices, including a data communication device, a cellular telephone, amultiple-function communication device with data and voice communicationcapabilities, a personal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wirelesscommunication, or a computer incorporating an internal modem, as someexamples.

Some of these devices are equipped to send and receive Short MessageService (SMS) messages. SMS messages are different from e-mail messagesbut are delivered in a similar fashion with use of a uniquelyidentifying address. For example, the address may be a Mobile StationIntegrated International Service Digital Network (MSISDN) uniquelyassociated with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that is insertedwithin a wireless communication device. Since each device is associatedwith a unique address, an end user who owns two or more of these devicesoften finds it inconvenient to continually make use of only one of thedevices to keep a single consistent address or point of contact withothers.

More specifically, the present disclosure is concerned with issuesrelated to SMS enhancements such as Forwarding Short Messages andStoring Short Messages in the network. Note that such ideas have beendebated in the past in standards groups including SMG4 and T2. At thetime, it was concluded that it was too complex both technically andcommercially.

The following discussion serves to highlight these problems. A mobilesubscriber may receive SMS messages from any Short Message ServiceCenter (SMS-SC) in any network operator's domain as well as their SMS-SCof the home public land mobile network (PLMN). If a mobile subscriberwishes to have their short messages forwarded to another MSISDN or anyother destination address, then an agreement may be made with their homePLMN SMS-SC. That would work for any SMS messages that are to bedelivered via the subscriber's home PLMN SMS-SC. However, this cannoteasily work without highly complex agreements with any SMS messages thatare to be delivered to that subscriber from any other SMS-SC in otherPLMN domains. The consequence is that SMS forwarding would beineffective unless the forwarding mechanism applied to every SMS-SC inevery network operator's domain. Additionally, even if it were possibleto have some commercial agreement, it is highly likely that such anagreement and SMS-SC capability in non-home PLMN SMS-SC's would have tobe optional. This would make the Forwarding service useless as therecipient would still receive Short Messages to the unwanteddestination.

Accordingly, there is a resulting need for improved methods andapparatus for use in delivering SMS messages to wireless communicationdevices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of present invention will now be described by way of examplewith reference to attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system which includes awireless communication device for communicating in a wirelesscommunication network;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed example of a wireless communication device foruse in the wireless communication network;

FIG. 3 is a particular structure of a system for communicating with thewireless communication device;

FIG. 4 is a first flow diagram which illustrates a method for use insimultaneously delivering a Short Message Service (SMS) message to twoor more associated wireless communication devices operating in thewireless communication network (mobile-terminated example);

FIG. 5 is a second flow diagram which illustrates a method for use insimultaneously delivering an SMS message to two or more associatedwireless communication devices operating in the wireless communicationnetwork (mobile-originated example);

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a visual display of a first wirelesscommunication device which receives an SMS message;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a visual display of a second wirelesscommunication device which also receives the SMS message in accordancewith the techniques of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram for delivering and forward shortmessages for mobile communication devices in a wireless communicationnetwork; and

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram of one example for enabling anddisabling this message forwarding feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Methods and apparatus for use in forwarding short messages for mobilecommunication devices adapted to operate in wireless communicationnetworks are described herein. In one illustrative example, when amessage forwarding function is enabled for a mobile communication devicewhich operates in a wireless communication network, an address (e.g. anMSISDN) of the mobile device is assigned to “virtual mobile equipment”in the wireless network. The equipment registers with the wirelessnetwork with respect to the address, and stores an association in memorybetween the address and an alternate address of an alternatecommunication device. Subsequently, the equipment receives a shortmessage having a destination address that matches the address. When themessage forwarding function is disabled for and/or by the mobile device,the address of the mobile device is deassigned from the equipment, wherethe equipment deregisters from the wireless network with respect to theaddress. Thereafter, the mobile device is again able to receive shortmessages having destination addresses that match the address.

Another illustrative technique utilized in the mobile communicationdevice is for use in controlling the forwarding of short messages in thewireless communication network. The mobile communication device isassociated with an address utilized to identify the mobile communicationdevice in the wireless communication network. In The mobile devicereceives, via a user interface of the mobile communication device, auser input comprising a message forwarding enable instruction ormessage. In response to the receiving of the user input comprising themessage forwarding enable instruction or message, the mobilecommunication device deregisters its location from the wirelesscommunication network with respect to the address and causes a messageforwarding enable message to be sent to equipment in the wirelesscommunication network. This message forwarding enable message is definedto cause the equipment to register a location of the equipment in thewireless communication network with respect to the address, so that theequipment can receive and forward short messages addressed to theaddress to an alternate address which identifies an alternatecommunication device. The mobile device may also receive, via the userinterface, a user input comprising a message forwarding disableinstruction or message. In response to the receiving of the user inputcomprising the message forwarding disable instruction or message, themobile communication device registers its location in the wirelesscommunication network with respect to the address and causes a messageforwarding disable message to be sent to the equipment in the wirelesscommunication network. The message forwarding disable message is definedto cause the equipment to deregister its location from the wirelesscommunication network with respect to the address.

General Configuration. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communicationsystem 100 which includes a wireless communication device 102 whichcommunicates through a wireless communication network 104. Wirelesscommunication device 102 preferably includes a visual display 112, akeyboard 114, and one or more auxiliary user interfaces (UI) 116, eachof which is coupled to a controller 106. Controller 106 is also coupledto radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 108 and an antenna 110.

In most modern communication devices, controller 106 is embodied as acentral processing unit (CPU) which runs operating system software in amemory component (not shown). Controller 106 will normally controloverall operation of wireless device 102, whereas signal processingoperations associated with communication functions are typicallyperformed in RF transceiver circuitry 108. Controller 106 interfaceswith device display 112 to display received information, storedinformation, user inputs, and the like. Keyboard 114, which may be atelephone type keypad or full alphanumeric keyboard, is normallyprovided for entering data for storage in wireless device 102,information for transmission to network 104, a telephone number to placea telephone call, commands to be executed on wireless device 102, andpossibly other or different user inputs.

Wireless device 102 sends communication signals to and receivescommunication signals from network 104 over a wireless link via antenna110. RF transceiver circuitry 108 performs functions similar to those ofbase station 120, including for example modulation/demodulation andpossibly encoding/decoding and encryption/decryption. It is alsocontemplated that RF transceiver circuitry 108 may perform certainfunctions in addition to those performed by base station 120. It will beapparent to those skilled in art that RF transceiver circuitry 108 willbe adapted to particular wireless network or networks in which wirelessdevice 102 is intended to operate.

Wireless device 102 includes a battery interface 134 for receiving oneor more rechargeable batteries 132. Battery 132 provides electricalpower to (most if not all) electrical circuitry in wireless device 102,and battery interface 132 provides for a mechanical and electricalconnection for battery 132. Battery interface 132 is coupled to aregulator 136 which regulates power for the device. When wireless device102 is fully operational, an RF transmitter of RF transceiver circuitry108 is typically keyed or turned on only when it is sending to network,and is otherwise turned off to conserve resources. Such intermittentoperation of transmitter has a dramatic effect on power consumption ofwireless device 102. Similarly, an RF receiver of RF transceivercircuitry 108 is typically periodically turned off to conserve poweruntil it is needed to receive signals or information (if at all) duringdesignated time periods.

Wireless device 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a datacommunication device, a cellular telephone, a multiple-functioncommunication device with data and voice communication capabilities suchas a mobile telephone with data communication functionality, a personaldigital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, or acomputer incorporating an internal modem. Alternatively, wireless device102 may be a multiple-module unit comprising a plurality of separatecomponents, including but in no way limited to a computer or otherdevice connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example, in thewireless device block diagram of FIG. 1, RF transceiver circuitry 108and antenna 110 may be implemented as a radio modem unit that may beinserted into a port on a laptop computer. In this case, the laptopcomputer would include display 112, keyboard 114, one or more auxiliaryUls 116, and controller 106 embodied as the computer's CPU. It is alsocontemplated that a computer or other equipment not normally capable ofwireless communication may be adapted to connect to and effectivelyassume control of RF transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110 of asingle-unit device such as one of those described above. Such a wirelessdevice 102 may have a more particular implementation as described laterin relation to wireless device 202 of FIG. 2.

Wireless device 102 operates using a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)140 which is connected to or inserted in wireless device 102 at a SIMinterface 142. SIM 140 is one type of a conventional “smart card” usedto identify an end user (or subscriber) of wireless device 102 and topersonalize the device, among other things. Without SIM 140, thewireless device terminal is not fully operational for communicationthrough wireless network 104. By inserting SIM 140 into wireless device102, an end user can have access to any and all of his/her subscribedservices. In order to identify the subscriber, SIM 140 contains someuser parameters such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI) and a Mobile Station Integrated International Service DigitalNetwork (MSISDN). In addition, SIM 140 is typically protected by afour-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) which is stored thereinand known only by the end user. An advantage of using SIM 140 is thatend users are not necessarily bound by any single physical wirelessdevice. Typically, the only element that personalizes a wireless deviceterminal is a SIM card. Therefore, the user can access subscribedservices using any wireless device equipped to operate with the user'sSIM.

Some information stored on SIM 140 (e.g. address book and SMS messages)may be retrieved and visually displayed on display 112. Wireless device102 has one or more software applications which are executed bycontroller 144 to facilitate the information stored on SIM 140 to bedisplayed on display 112. Controller 144 and SIM interface 142 have dataand control lines 144 coupled therebetween to facilitate the transfer ofthe information between controller 144 and SIM interface 142 so that itmay be visually displayed. An end user enters user input signals atkeyboard 114, for example, and in response, controller 144 controls SIMinterface 142 and SIM 140 to retrieve the information for display. Theend user may also enter user input signals at keyboard 114, for example,and, in response, controller 144 controls SIM interface 142 and SIM 140to store information on SIM 140 for later retrieval and viewing.Preferably, the software applications executed by controller 106 includean application to retrieve and display address book information storedon SIM 140, and an application to retrieve and display SMS messageinformation stored on SIM 140.

Wireless device 102 communicates in and through wireless communicationnetwork 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wireless network 104 is aGlobal Systems for Mobile (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)network. Wireless network 104 includes a base station 120 with anassociated antenna tower 118, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 126, aVisitor Location Register (VLR) 130, a Home Location Register (HLR) 132,and a Short Message Service Center (SMS-SC) 128. MSC 126 is coupled tobase station 120 and to SMS-SC 128, which is in turn coupled to othernetwork(s) 134.

Base station 120, including its associated controller and antenna tower118, provides wireless network coverage for a particular coverage areacommonly referred to as a “cell”. Base station 120 transmitscommunication signals to and receives communication signals fromwireless devices within its cell via antenna tower 118. Base station 120normally performs such functions as modulation and possibly encodingand/or encryption of signals to be transmitted to the wireless device inaccordance with particular, usually predetermined, communicationprotocols and parameters, under control of its controller. Base station120 similarly demodulates and possibly decodes and decrypts, ifnecessary, any communication signals received from wireless device 102within its cell. Communication protocols and parameters may vary betweendifferent networks. For example, one network may employ a differentmodulation scheme and operate at different frequencies than othernetworks.

The wireless link shown in communication system 100 of FIG. 1 representsone or more different channels, typically different radio frequency (RF)channels, and associated protocols used between wireless network 104 andwireless device 102. Those skilled in art will appreciate that awireless network in actual practice may include hundreds of cells, eachserved by a distinct base station 120 and transceiver, depending upondesired overall expanse of network coverage. All base stationcontrollers and base stations may be connected by multiple switches androuters (not shown), controlled by multiple network controllers.

For all wireless devices 102 registered with a network operator,permanent data (such as wireless device 102 user's profile) as well astemporary data (such as wireless device's 102 current location) arestored in HLR 132. In case of a voice call to wireless device 102, HLR132 is queried to determine the current location of wireless device 102.VLR 130 is responsible for a group of location areas and stores the dataof those wireless devices that are currently in its area ofresponsibility. This includes parts of the permanent wireless devicedata that have been transmitted from HLR 132 to VLR 130 for fasteraccess. However, VLR 130 may also assign and store local data, such astemporary identifications. Optionally, VLR 130 can be enhanced for moreefficient co-ordination of GPRS and non-GPRS services and functionality(e.g. paging for circuit-switched calls, and combined GPRS and non-GPRSlocation updates).

Being part of the GPRS network, a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is atthe same hierarchical level as MSC 126 and keeps track of the individuallocations of wireless devices. An SGSN also performs security functionsand access control. Further, a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) providesinterworking with external packet-switched networks and is connectedwith SGSNs via an IP-based GPRS backbone network. The SGSN performsauthentication and cipher setting procedures based on the samealgorithms, keys, and criteria as in existing GSM. For SMS transfer overGPRS, the SGSN is used in place of MSC 126.

In order to access GPRS services, wireless device 102 first makes itspresence known to wireless network 104 by performing what is known as aGPRS “attach”. This operation establishes a logical link betweenwireless device 102 and the SGSN and makes wireless device 102 availableto receive, for example, pages via SGSN, notifications of incoming GPRSdata, or SMS messages over GPRS. In order to send and receive GPRS data,wireless device 102 assists in activating the packet data address thatit wants to use. This operation makes wireless device 102 known to theGGSN; interworking with external data networks can thereafter commence.User data may be transferred transparently between wireless device 102and the external data networks using, for example, encapsulation andtunneling. Data packets are equipped with GPRS-specific protocolinformation and transferred between wireless device 102 and the GGSN.

SMS makes use of SMS-SC 128 which acts as a store-and-forward system forrelaying short messages. Messages are stored in the network until thedestination device becomes available, so a user can receive or transmitan SMS message at any time, whether a voice call is in progress or not.SMS-SC 128 may be integrated with a Gateway MSC For Short MessageService (SMS-GMSC) and an Interworking MSC for Short Message Service(SMS-IWMSC), as would be the case shown in FIG. 1. An SMS-GMSC is afunction for receiving a short message from an SMS-SC, interrogating anHLR for routing information and SMS info, and delivering the shortmessage for the recipient MS. An SMS-IWMSC is a function for receiving ashort message from within the network and submitting it to the recipientSMS-SC. Other messages which may be delivered are Multimedia MessagingService (MMS) messages. The above configuration is preferably providedin substantial accordance with 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project,Technical Specification 03.40, V6.2.0, 2001-12 (Release 1997) (3GPP TS03.40).

As apparent from the above, the wireless network includes fixed networkcomponents including RF transceivers, amplifiers, base stationcontrollers, network servers, and servers connected to network. Thoseskilled in art will appreciate that a wireless network may be connectedto other systems, possibly including other networks, not explicitlyshown in FIG. 1. A network will normally be transmitting at very leastsome sort of paging and system information on an ongoing basis, even ifthere is no actual packet data exchanged. Although the network consistsof many parts, these parts all work together to result in certainbehaviours at the wireless link.

Preferred Wireless Communication Device. FIG. 2 is a detailed blockdiagram of a preferred wireless communication device 202. Wirelessdevice 202 is preferably a two-way communication device having at leastvoice and data communication capabilities, including the capability tocommunicate with other computer systems. Depending on the functionalityprovided by wireless device 202, it may be referred to as a datamessaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with datamessaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a datacommunication device (with or without telephony capabilities). Wirelessdevice 202 may be a mobile station, as it is in the preferredembodiment.

If wireless device 202 is enabled for two-way communication, it willnormally incorporate a communication subsystem 211, which includes areceiver 212, a transmitter 214, and associated components, such as oneor more (preferably embedded or internal) antenna elements 216 and 218,local oscillators (LOs) 213, and a processing module such as a digitalsignal processor (DSP) 220. Communication subsystem 211 is analogous toRF transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110 shown in FIG. 1. As will beapparent to those skilled in field of communications, particular designof communication subsystem 211 depends on the communication network inwhich wireless device 202 is intended to operate.

Network access requirements will also vary depending upon type ofnetwork utilized. In GPRS networks, for example, network access isassociated with a subscriber or user of wireless device 202. A GPRSdevice therefore operates in conjunction with a Subscriber IdentityModule, commonly referred to as a “SIM” card 256, in order to operate onthe GPRS network. Without such a SIM card 256, a GPRS device will not befully functional. Local or non-network communication functions (if any)may be operable, but wireless device 610 will be unable to carry out anyfunctions involving communications over the network. SIM 256 includesthose features described in relation to FIG. 1.

Wireless device 202 may send and receive communication signals over thenetwork after required network registration or activation procedureshave been completed. Signals received by antenna 216 through the networkare input to receiver 212, which may perform such common receiverfunctions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering,channel selection, and like, and in example shown in FIG. 2,analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/D conversion of a received signalallows more complex communication functions such as demodulation anddecoding to be performed in DSP 220. In a similar manner, signals to betransmitted are processed, including modulation and encoding, forexample, by DSP 220. These DSP-processed signals are input totransmitter 214 for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency upconversion, filtering, amplification and transmission over communicationnetwork via antenna 218. DSP 220 not only processes communicationsignals, but also provides for receiver and transmitter control. Forexample, the gains applied to communication signals in receiver 212 andtransmitter 214 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in DSP 220.

Wireless device 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is oneimplementation of controller 106 of FIG. 1) which controls overalloperation of wireless device 202. Communication functions, including atleast data and voice communications, are performed through communicationsubsystem 211. Microprocessor 238 also interacts with additional devicesubsystems such as a display 222, a flash memory 224, a random accessmemory (RAM) 226, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, a serialport 230, a keyboard 232, a speaker 234, a microphone 236, a short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, and any other device subsystems generallydesignated at 242. Data and control lines 260 extend between SIMinterface 254 and microprocessor 238 for communicating data therebetweenand for control. Some of the subsystems shown in FIG. 2 performcommunication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide“resident” or on-device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such askeyboard 232 and display 222, for example, may be used for bothcommunication-related functions, such as entering a text message fortransmission over a communication network, and device-resident functionssuch as a calculator or task list. Operating system software used bymicroprocessor 238 is preferably stored in a persistent store such asflash memory 224, which may alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM), abattery backed-up RAM, or similar storage element (not shown). Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specificdevice applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into avolatile store such as RAM 226.

Microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating system functions,preferably enables execution of software applications on wireless device202. A predetermined set of applications which control basic deviceoperations, including at least data and voice communication applications(such as a call forwarding control technique), will normally beinstalled on wireless device 202 during its manufacture. A preferredapplication that may be loaded onto wireless device 202 may be apersonal information manager (PIM) application having the ability toorganize and manage data items relating to user such as, but not limitedto, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items.Naturally, one or more memory stores are available on wireless device202 and SIM 256 to facilitate storage of PIM data items and otherinformation.

The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive dataitems via the wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, PIM dataitems are seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via thewireless network, with the wireless device user's corresponding dataitems stored and/or associated with a host computer system therebycreating a mirrored host computer on wireless device 202 with respect tosuch items. This is especially advantageous where the host computersystem is the wireless device user's office computer system. Additionalapplications may also be loaded onto wireless device 202 throughnetwork, an auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, andinstalled by a user in RAM 226 or preferably a non-volatile store forexecution by microprocessor 238. Such flexibility in applicationinstallation increases the functionality of wireless device 202 and mayprovide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions,or both. For example, secure communication applications may enableelectronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions tobe performed using wireless device 202.

In a data communication mode, data such as an SMS message will beprocessed by communication subsystem 211 and input to microprocessor238. Microprocessor 238 will preferably further process the signal foroutput to display 222 or alternatively to auxiliary I/O device 228. Auser of wireless device 202 may also compose data items, such as SMSmessages, using keyboard 232 in conjunction with display 222 andpossibly auxiliary I/O device 228. Keyboard 232 is preferably a completealphanumeric keyboard and/or telephone-type keypad. These composed itemsmay be transmitted over a communication network through communicationsubsystem 211.

For voice communications, the overall operation of wireless device 202is substantially similar, except that the received signals would beoutput to speaker 234 and signals for transmission would be generated bymicrophone 236. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as avoice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on wirelessdevice 202. Although voice or audio signal output is preferablyaccomplished primarily through speaker 234, display 222 may also be usedto provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration ofa voice call, or other voice call related information, as some examples.

Serial port 230 in FIG. 2 is normally implemented in a personal digitalassistant (PDA)-type communication device for which synchronization witha user's desktop computer is a desirable, albeit optional, component.Serial port 230 enables a user to set preferences through an externaldevice or software application and extends the capabilities of wirelessdevice 202 by providing for information or software downloads towireless device 202 other than through a wireless communication network.The alternate download path may, for example, be used to load anencryption key onto wireless device 202 through a direct and thusreliable and trusted connection to thereby provide secure devicecommunication.

Short-range communications subsystem 240 of FIG. 2 is an additionaloptional component which provides for communication between wirelessdevice 202 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarilybe similar devices. For example, subsystem 240 may include an infrareddevice and associated circuits and components, a Bluetooth™communication module, or an 802.11 communication module, to provide forcommunication with similarly-enabled systems and devices. Bluetooth™ isa registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that “Bluetooth” and “802.11” refer to sets ofspecifications, available from the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE), relating to wireless personal areanetworks and wireless local area networks, respectively.

Wireless device 202 also includes a battery interface (such as thatdescribed in relation to FIG. 1) for receiving one or more rechargeablebatteries. Such a battery provides electrical power to most if not allelectrical circuitry in wireless device 202, and the battery interfaceprovides for a mechanical and electrical connection for it. The batteryinterface is coupled to a regulator which regulates power to all of thecircuitry.

Example Network Configuration. FIG. 3 shows a particular systemstructure for communicating with a wireless communication device. Inparticular, FIG. 3 shows basic components of an IP-based wireless datanetwork, such as a GPRS network. A wireless device 100 communicates witha wireless packet data network 145, and may also be capable ofcommunicating with a wireless voice network (not shown). The voicenetwork may be associated with IP-based wireless network 145 similar to,for example, GSM and GPRS networks, or alternatively may be a completelyseparate network. The GPRS IP-based data network is unique in that it iseffectively an overlay on the GSM voice network. As such, GPRScomponents will either extend existing GSM components, such as basestations 320, or require additional components to be added, such as anadvanced Gateway GPRS Service Node (GGSN) as a network entry point 305.

As shown in FIG. 3, a gateway 140 may be coupled to an internal orexternal address resolution component 335 and one or more network entrypoints 305. Data packets are transmitted from gateway 140, which issource of information to be transmitted to wireless device 100, throughnetwork 145 by setting up a wireless network tunnel 325 from gateway 140to wireless device 100. In order to create this wireless tunnel 325, aunique network address is associated with wireless device 100. In anIP-based wireless network, however, network addresses are typically notpermanently assigned to a particular wireless device 100 but instead aredynamically allocated on an as-needed basis. It is thus preferable forwireless device 100 to acquire a network address and for gateway 140 todetermine this address so as to establish wireless tunnel 325.

Network entry point 305 is generally used to multiplex and demultiplexamongst many gateways, corporate servers, and bulk connections such asthe Internet, for example. There are normally very few of these networkentry points 305, since they are also intended to centralize externallyavailable wireless network services. Network entry points 305 often usesome form of an address resolution component 335 that assists in addressassignment and lookup between gateways and wireless devices. In thisexample, address resolution component 335 is shown as a dynamic hostconfiguration protocol (DHCP) as one method for providing an addressresolution mechanism.

A central internal component of wireless data network 345 is a networkrouter 315. Normally, network routers 315 are proprietary to theparticular network, but they could alternatively be constructed fromstandard commercially available hardware. The purpose of network routers315 is to centralize thousands of base stations 320 normally implementedin a relatively large network into a central location for a long-haulconnection back to network entry point 305. In some networks there maybe multiple tiers of network routers 315 and cases where there aremaster and slave network routers 315, but in all such cases thefunctions are similar. Often network router 315 will access a nameserver 307, in this case shown as a dynamic name server (DNS) 307 asused in the Internet, to look up destinations for routing data messages.Base stations 320, as described above, provide wireless links towireless devices such as wireless device 100.

Wireless network tunnels such as a wireless tunnel 325 are opened acrosswireless network 345 in order to allocate necessary memory, routing, andaddress resources to deliver IP packets. In GPRS, such tunnels 325 areestablished as part of what are referred to as “PDP contexts” (i.e. datasessions). To open wireless tunnel 325, wireless device 100 must use aspecific technique associated with wireless network 345. The step ofopening such a wireless tunnel 325 may require wireless device 100 toindicate the domain, or network entry point 305 with which it wishes toopen wireless tunnel 325. In this example, the tunnel first reachesnetwork router 315 which uses name server 307 to determine which networkentry point 305 matches the domain provided. Multiple wireless tunnelscan be opened from one wireless device 100 for redundancy, or to accessdifferent gateways and services on the network. Once the domain name isfound, the tunnel is then extended to network entry point 305 andnecessary resources are allocated at each of the nodes along the way.Network entry point 305 then uses the address resolution (or DHCP 335)component to allocate an IP address for wireless device 100. When an IPaddress has been allocated to wireless device 100 and communicated togateway 140, information can then be forwarded from gateway 140 towireless device 100.

Wireless tunnel 325 typically has a limited life, depending on wirelessdevice's 100 coverage profile and activity. Wireless network 145 willtear down wireless tunnel 325 after a certain period of inactivity orout-of-coverage period, in order to recapture resources held by thiswireless tunnel 325 for other users. The main reason for this is toreclaim the IP address temporarily reserved for wireless device 100 whenwireless tunnel 325 was first opened. Once the IP address is lost andwireless tunnel 325 is torn down, gateway 140 loses all ability toinitiate IP data packets to wireless device 100, whether overTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) or over User Datagram Protocol(UDP).

In the present disclosure, an “IP-based wireless network” (one specifictype of wireless communication network) may include but is not limitedto: (1) a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network that has beendeveloped and operated by Qualcomm; (2) a General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) network for use in conjunction with Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) network both developed by standards committee ofEuropean Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations(CEPT); and (3) future third-generation (3G) networks like Enhanced Datarates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) and Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS). It is to be understood that although particular IP-basedwireless networks have been described, techniques of the presentdisclosure could be utilized in any suitable type of wireless network.

The infrastructure shown and described in relation to FIG. 3 may berepresentative of each one of a number of different communicationnetworks which are provided and available in the same geographic region.One of these communication networks will be selected by the wirelessdevice, either in an automatic or manual fashion, for communications.

SMS Message Delivery To Two Different Mobile Devices. The first part ofthe present disclosure relates to the sending of SMS messagessimultaneously to two or more associated wireless communication devices.FIG. 4 is a flow diagram which describes a method for use in deliveringa message (e.g. an SMS message) simultaneously to two or more associatedwireless communication devices. Such a method may be employed inconnection with components shown and described above in relation toFIGS. 1-3. FIG. 4 relates particularly to a method involving the two ormore wireless devices which receive the message (i.e. mobile-terminatedmessage).

In general, the method of FIG. 4 involves receiving a request to deliveran SMS message to a first wireless communication device identified by afirst address. In response to the request, the SMS message is deliveredto the first wireless communication device as well as to a secondwireless communication device identified by a second address differentfrom the first address. In a preferred scenario, the first and thesecond wireless devices are possessed by the same end user so thatmessages can be received without fail regardless of which device isbeing used at any given moment. This method may be executed by a serverin the wireless network or, alternatively, by the wireless communicationdevice itself.

Initially, an end user of an originating wireless device 450 uses akeyboard (or other user interface device) to navigate through a menu offeatures displayed on the visual display. The end user finds and selectsan “SMS message sending feature” provided by originating device 450,composes the SMS message, and depresses a button to send the SMS messageto a wireless device (e.g. wireless device 102) which is identified by afirst address (e.g. a first MSISDN). This causes the SMS message to besent from originating device 450 to SMS-SC 128 (step 402), which isidentified by its own phone number stored at originating device 450.

In response to receiving this message, SMS-SC 128 interrogates HLR 132and receives routing information for wireless device 102 associated withthe first address as is conventional (step 404). However, SMS-SC 128also identifies a second address (e.g. a second MSISDN) of a secondwireless device 470 which is associated with wireless device 102. Thismay be performed, for example, by issuing a query to a database toretrieve the additional address or addresses. Once the additional secondaddress is identified, SMS-SC 128 interrogates HLR 132 to receiverouting information for second wireless device 470 having this secondaddress (step 406).

SMS-SC 128 then sends the short message to MSC 126 with use of a forwardshort message operation (e.g. “forwardShortMessage”) for wireless device102 (step 408). In addition, SMS-SC 128 sends the same short message toMSC 126 with use of the forward short message operation for secondwireless device 470 (step 410). MSC 126 retrieves subscriber informationfor wireless device 102 from VLR 130, using an optional authenticationprocedure (step 412). Similarly, MSC 126 retrieves subscriberinformation for second wireless device 470 from VLR 130 (step 414).

MSC 126 then transfers the short message to wireless device 102 byissuing a page (step 416), performing authentication (step 420),receiving acknowledgement (step 424), and transferring the message (step428). Similarly, MSC 126 transfers the same short message to secondwireless device 470 by issuing a page (step 418), performingauthentication (step 422), receiving acknowledgement (step 426), andtransferring the message (step 430). To further illustrate, FIGS. 6 and7 show examples of visual displays 602 and 702 corresponding to wirelessdevice 102 and second wireless device 470, respectively, displaying theSMS message. As illustrated in FIG. 6, an SMS message 604 is deliveredto wireless device 102 and may be shown in its visual display 602;similarly, SMS message 604 is delivered to second wireless device 470and may be shown in its visual display 702, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Returning back to FIG. 4, MSC 126 may then return to SMS-SC 128 theoutcome of the forward short message operation for wireless device 102.Similarly, MSC 126 may return to SMS-SC 128 the outcome of the operationfor second wireless device 470. Assuming both message transfers aresuccessful, SMS-SC 128 returns a status report indicating delivery ofthe short message to the originating wireless device.

As apparent from FIG. 4, the same short message is simultaneouslydelivered to two different wireless devices which may be owned and/orpossessed by the same user. The method described in relation to FIG. 4assumes that wireless device 102 and second wireless device 470 are eachoperating on the same network having the same MSC 126; however they maybe on different networks or use different MSCs. Further, although eachstep outlined in FIG. 4 is illustrated as being performed simultaneously“in step” with the other, they do not need to be performed so closely intime together. What matters is that the short message gets delivered toboth wireless devices substantially at the same time (e.g. within a fewminutes from each other). Finally, although two wireless devices aredescribed as having the same message delivered to them, more than twowireless devices may be involved.

Although the additional functionality of the present disclosure isdescribed as being associated with SMS-SC 128 of FIG. 4, the sending ofthe short message to two different device addresses may be alternativelyemployed in wireless device 102. For example, although the end user oforiginating device 450 may depress the button on the device only once tosubmit the short message, this may cause originating device 450 to sendthe short message to both wireless device 102 and second wireless device470 (i.e. sequentially send two messages to two different addresses). Inthis particular embodiment, SMS-SC 128 operates in a conventionalfashion.

FIG. 5 is another flow diagram which describes another method for use indelivering a message (e.g. an SMS message) simultaneously to two or moreassociated wireless communication devices. Such a method may be employedin connection with components shown and described above in relation toFIGS. 1-3. FIG. 5 relates particularly to a method involving thewireless device which sends or originates (i.e. mobile-originatedmessage).

In general, the method of FIG. 5 involves receiving a request to delivera message from a first wireless communication device identified by afirst address to a second wireless communication device identified by asecond address. In response to this request, the message is delivered tothe second wireless communication device along with amessage-originating address that identifies a third wirelesscommunication device. In a preferred scenario, the first and the thirdwireless communication devices are possessed by the same end user sothat messages delivered therefrom can be identified from a singleaddress regardless of which device is being used by the end user at anygiven moment. This method may be executed by a server in the wirelessnetwork or, alternatively, by the wireless communication device itself.

Initially, an originating wireless device 102 is powered on andregisters with the wireless network (step 502). An end user oforiginating wireless device 102 uses a keyboard (or other user interfacedevice) to navigate through a menu of features displayed on the visualdisplay. The end user finds and selects an “SMS message sending feature”provided by originating wireless device 102, composes the SMS message,and depresses a button to send the SMS message to a wireless device(e.g. a short message entity or SME in FIG. 5). This causes the SMSmessage to be sent from originating device 450 to MSC 126 (step 504). Inresponse, MSC 126 interrogates VLR 130 to verify that the messagetransfer does not violate the supplementary services invoked orrestrictions imposed (step 506). Next, MSC 126 sends the short messageto SMS-SC 128 using the forward short message operation (e.g.“forwardShortMessage”) (step 508). In response, SMS-SC 128 delivers theshort message to the SME (step 510) with an optional acknowledgement(step 512). SMS-SC 128 acknowledges to MSC 126 a successful outcome ofthe forward short message operation (step 514). Finally, MSC 126 returnsto wireless device 102 the outcome of the operation (step 516).

The method of FIG. 5 of the present disclosure differs from conventionalmethods in that the SMS message is sent with a message-originatingaddress (e.g. an MSISDN) that is different from the address normallyused to identify wireless device 102. In particular, themessage-originating address sent with the SMS message is the address ofa wireless communication device that is associated with wireless device102. In a preferred scenario, the message-originating address may bethat of another different wireless device that is owned and/or possessedby the same end user. In this way, short messages from the same end userappear to be sent by the same device/user.

The special addressing technique of FIG. 5 may be employed at a serverin the wireless network (e.g. SMS-SC 128) or, alternatively, by thewireless communication device itself (e.g. originating wireless device102). For example, SMS-SC 128 may receive the short message fromwireless device 102, subsequently identify the alternative addressassociated with it and accordingly change the message-originatingaddress (prior to step 510). A query to a database may be used toretrieve this alternative address associated with the original addressof wireless device 102.

As another example, wireless device 102 may itself automatically insertthe alternate address (different from its normal address) prior tosending the short message to MSC 126 (prior to step 504). Preferably,the procedure to modify the originating address is subject to anappropriate security mechanism to prevent misuse (e.g. “spoofing”). Forexample, one such method may involve inserting the SIM from the otherwireless communication device into wireless device 102 temporarily, sothat a certificate or other authority can be granted to allow wirelessdevice 102 to temporarily use the MSISDN from the other device (e.g. fora predetermined time period or a predetermined number of messages).

The above techniques described in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5 arepreferably provided in accordance with 3^(rd) Generation PartnershipProject, Technical Specification 03.40, V6.2.0, 2001-12 (Release 1997)(3GPP TS 03.40), having suitable modifications made as desired.

SMS Message Forwarding. The second part of present disclosure relates tothe forwarding of SMS messages to alternate devices, such as alternatemobile communication devices. SMS enhancements such as Forwarding ShortMessages and Storing Short Messages in the network that have beendebated in the past in standards groups including SMG4 and T2. At thetime, it was concluded that it was too complex both technically andcommercially. To illustrate, a mobile subscriber may receive SMSmessages from any service center (SC) in any network operator's domainas well as their SC of a home public land mobile network (PLMN). If amobile subscriber wishes to have their short messages forwarded toanother MSISDN or any other destination address, then an agreement maybe made with their home PLMN SC. That would work for any SMS messagesthat are to be delivered via the subscriber's home PLMN SC. However,this cannot easily work without highly complex agreements with any SMSmessages that are to be delivered to that subscriber from any other SCin other PLMN domains. The consequence is that SMS forwarding would beineffective unless the forwarding mechanism applied to every SC in everynetwork operator's domain. Additionally, even if it were possible tohave some commercial agreement, it is highly likely that such anagreement and SC capability in non-home PLMN SC's would have to beoptional. This would make the Forwarding service useless as therecipient would still receive short messages to the unwanteddestination.

According to the present disclosure, one solution to this problem liesin the use of “virtual mobile equipment” in the network. Such equipmentmay be based on existing Virtual Mobile Equipment (VME) technologies.VME is an existing platform in mobile network infrastructure (typicallyin the network operator's domain) that allows a list of mobile MSISDN'sto exist as though they correspond to actual mobile devices. Inconventional VME techniques, a short message sent from the SC of anon-home PLMN domain to an MSISDN of a home PLMN domain will be routedfrom the non-HPLM domain SC to the Home PLMN. Such a message does notget routed via the home PLMN SC but normally across the home PLMN to themobile device. If, however, the MSISDN is not a real mobile device butan entry in the VME then the home PLMN will route the short message tothe VME. From there, the VME can route the short message to a fixednetwork entity such as a bank or media such as the BBC, thereby allowingfixed network service to be deployed without the need for the fixednetwork service (such as a bank or BBC) to make a connection to every SCof every network operator.

This platform or any other suitably-situated platform or equipment maybe utilized for “Short Message Forwarding” of the present disclosure. Amobile device wishing to invoke a forwarding function may inform thehome PLMN by requesting that the MSISDN of the mobile device be assignedto the VME. See VME 199 in FIG. 1. After this, any short messages thatarrive in the home PLMN will be routed to the VME. In this example, theonly other requirement may be for the requesting mobile device to supplya forwarding address. This can be either an MSISDN or anotherdestination address that is capable of receiving a short message. Uponreceipt of a short message having the MSISDN that matches, the VMEcauses the short message to be forwarded to the forwarding address.

The mobile device may utilize any suitable messaging via the wirelesscommunication network to accomplish the control over short messageforwarding. In one embodiment, control of SMS forwarding is performedthrough use of SMS messaging. For example, Technical Specification (TS)23.040 currently defines a facility called SMS Commands. This facilityallows a mobile device to interact with the SC to instruct it to dosomething specific with respect to short messages. As an example, onecode point currently assigned in the SMS Commands facility allows amobile device to “DELETE” a previous short message they have sent thatis still in the SC awaiting delivery. According to the presentdisclosure, a code point corresponding to “ACTIVATE CALL FORWARDING” foruse in activating the SMS call forwarding feature may be included in theSMS Commands facility, with or without the use of additional parameterssuch as a forwarding address, which may be explicit or implied. Inaddition, a different code point corresponding to “CANCEL CALLFORWARDING” for use in cancelling the SMS call forwarding feature may beincluded in the SMS Commands facility.

As SMS commands are not widely supported either in mobile devices or inthe SC's, the use of an alternative messaging means such as anUnstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) facility may alsofacilitate SMS Forwarding requests and cancellations. In general, USSDallows for the transmission of information via a GSM network. USSD alsoallows for interactive services between a mobile device and applicationshosted by the operator. In contrast to SMS, USSD offers a real timeconnection during a communication session. A USSD message can be up to182 alphanumeric characters in length. These messages are composed ofdigits and the #, * keys, and allow users to easily and quickly getinformation/access services from the operator. A mobile subscriber maydirectly enter the USSD string and press a button (e.g. call, send,etc.) to send the message. A typical USSD message starts with a “*”character followed by digits which indicate an action to be performed orparameters. Each group of numbers is separated by the “*” character andthe message is terminated with a “#” character. A USSD gateway, in turn,interacts with external applications based on the USSD command. Thisallows access to a number of value added services via USSD. Thus, acommand code corresponding to “ACTIVATE SMS CALL FORWARDING” for use inactivating the SMS call forwarding feature may be included in USSD, withor without the use of additional parameters such as a forwardingaddress, which may be explicit or implied. In addition, a differentcommand code corresponding to “CANCEL SMS CALL FORWARDING” for use incancelling the SMS call forwarding feature may be included in USSD.

Note that long(er) term short message storage may also be resolved bythe VME if storage before receipt is a requirement. As apparent, thereis value in a service that allows long term storage of short messagesbefore receipt in the case that the recipient mobile subscriber has somelong term absence. Normally, an SC will automatically delete undeliveredshort messages after a period of time which may be only several days andtherefore, by invoking a Forwarding function (with or without supplyinga forwarding address), a mobile subscriber could be provided with longterm storage while unavailable.

Clearly, the forwarding of short messages is an attractive opportunityfor SMS and the strategy described above and herein is a practical wayof resolving the problem.

SMS Message Forwarding—General Techniques. When a message forwardingfunction is enabled for a first mobile communication device whichoperates in a wireless communication network, the “virtual mobileequipment” in the wireless communication network is assigned a firstaddress which is utilized to identify the first mobile communicationdevice in the wireless communication network. The equipment has accessto an association in memory between the first address and a secondaddress which is utilized to identify a second communication device.Subsequently, the equipment receives a short message having adestination address that matches the first address. In response, theequipment sends the short message to the second address for delivery tothe second communication device based on the stored association. Notethat, when forwarding is enabled, the wireless network and the equipmentrefrain from causing any delivery of the short message to the firstmobile communication device. The functionality along with this equipmentmay be performed for a plurality of or all mobile communication devicesin the wireless communication network, each of which are associated withdifferent addresses (e.g. MSISDNs).

In response to a message forwarding function being enabled for and/or bythe first mobile communication device, the equipment is assigned (e.g.temporarily assigned) the first address which is normally utilized toidentify the first mobile communication device in the wirelesscommunication network for communications. The assignment of the firstaddress at the equipment may be caused in response to receiving amessage forwarding instruction. More particularly, the equipment mayreceive a message forwarding instruction having the first address andthe second address, and the act of being assigned to the first addressat the equipment and storing the association between the first addressand the second address may be caused by receiving the message forwardinginstruction. When the message forwarding function is disabled for and/orby the first mobile communication device, the equipment may bedeassigned from the first address which corresponds to the first mobilecommunication device, so that the first mobile communication devicedirectly (not via the equipment) receives short messages having thedestination addresses that match the first address. Again, thefunctionality for this equipment may be performed for a plurality of orall mobile communication devices in the wireless communication network.The forwarding equipment may be or include a server, and/or a database(memory) which stores the associations between the addresses. Theequipment may be network equipment which includes one or morecommunication transceivers and one or more processors adapted to operatein the required manner, for example, in accordance with computerinstructions. A computer program product may include a computer readablemedium and the computer instructions stored in the computer readablemedium, where the computer instructions are executable by the one ormore processors for performing the required tasks. The first address maybe a Mobile Station International ISDN (MSISDN) of the first mobilecommunication device, and the second address may be a second MSISDN ofthe second communication device which comprises a second mobilecommunication device. Alternatively, the second communication device maybe a server, or more particularly a database server for storing shortmessages (associated with the first address) for the first mobilecommunication device in a database.

SMS Message Forwarding—Illustrative Techniques in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8is a general process flow diagram for delivering and forward shortmessages for mobile communication devices in a wireless communicationnetwork. FIG. 9 is a general process flow diagram for enabling anddisabling this message forwarding feature.

First with respect to FIG. 8, various devices are indicated in thediagram which include an originating communication device 850 (such as amessage-originating mobile communication device), a short messageservice center (SMS-SC) 852 of the originating communication device, ahome public land mobile network (PLMN) 854, a virtual mobile equipment856 (e.g. VME-based technology) of home PLMN 854, a first mobilecommunication device 860 having the home PLMN 854, and a secondcommunication device 862 (such as a second mobile communication device).Home PLMN 854 is the home network of first mobile communication device860, but not (necessarily) of originating communication device 850.Providing a message forwarding feature for short messaging forcommunication devices in a simple and consistent manner is made morecomplicated when originating communication device 802 is not asubscriber of home PLMN 854 but an alternative PLMN or carrier.

Process operations 898 of FIG. 8 where no message forwarding feature isenabled (or message forward feature is disabled) will first bedescribed. An SMS message may be originated and initiated fromoriginating communication device 850 and intended for delivery to firstmobile communication device 860. This SMS message has a destinationaddress which matches a first address (e.g. a first MSISDN)corresponding to first mobile communication device 860. The SMS messagealso has a message center address which matches the address of SMS-SC852 of the originating device's network. Thus, the SMS message intendedfor first mobile communication device 860 may be initially routed toSMS-SC 852 of the originating device (step 802 of FIG. 8). SMS-SC 852receives this SMS message and, after interrogation of the HLR/VLR tolocate first mobile communication device 860, will cause the message tobe delivered to first mobile communication device 860 (step 804 of FIG.8).

Process operations 899 where the message forwarding feature is enabledwill now be described. Again, an SMS message may be originated andinitiated from originating communication device 850 and intended fordelivery to first mobile communication device 860. This SMS message hasa destination address which matches the first address (i.e. the firstMSISDN) corresponding to first mobile communication device 860. The SMSmessage also has a message center address which matches the address ofSMS-SC 852 of the originating device's network. Thus, the SMS messageintended for first mobile communication device 860 may be initiallyrouted to SMS-SC 852 of the originating device (step 806 of FIG. 8).SMS-SC 852 receives this SMS message will interrogate the HLR/VLR tolocate first mobile communication device 860. However, since the messageforwarding feature has been enabled, virtual mobile equipment 856 hasassumed the identity of first mobile communication device 860 and hasbeen assigned the first address (i.e. the first MSISDN) of first mobilecommunication device 860. Therefore, although SMS-SC 852 will cause themessage to be delivered to the first address, it will be routed in homePLMN 854 to virtual mobile equipment 856 (step 808 of FIG. 8).

Virtual mobile equipment 856 has access to an association in memorybetween the first address and a second address which corresponds tosecond communication device 862 for message forwarding. The secondaddress may be a second MSISDN of the second communication device whichis a mobile communication device. (Alternatively, the secondcommunication device may be a server, or more particularly a databaseserver for storing short messages (associated with the first address)for the first mobile communication device in a database.) Thus, virtualmobile equipment 856 sends (e.g. forwards) the short message to thesecond address which corresponds to second communication device 862(step 810 of FIG. 8). Note that the network and virtual mobile equipment856 refrain from causing any delivery of the short message to firstmobile communication device 860. The above-described functionality alongwith virtual mobile equipment 856 may be performed for a plurality of orall mobile communication devices in the wireless communication network.

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram for enabling and disabling the messageforwarding feature. Other devices in addition to those in FIG. 8 areindicated in the diagram, including a home SMS-SC associated with homePLMN 854 and first mobile communication device 860, and a HLR and/or VLR892. Process operations 950 for enabling the message forwarding featurewill now be described. A message forwarding enable instruction is sentfrom first mobile communication device 860 to home PLMN 854 (step 902 ofFIG. 9). The instruction may include the first address of first mobilecommunication device 860 and the second address (i.e. the forwardingaddress) of the second communication device. The first address may beimplied and supplied, for example, via Caller ID. The second address mayalso be implied and/or supplied if indicated or stored previously, orprovided as a predetermined address (e.g. in the case where shortmessages are to be submitted for long term storage in a database).

The message forwarding enable instruction may be entered in by the enduser via the user interface (keyboard, keypad, touch screen display,etc.) of first mobile communication device 860. For example, the messageforwarding instruction may be entered in as a short message (which isactually a control message to home PLMN 854) and sent to home SMS-SC890. SMS commands, USSD strings, or any other suitable messaging and/ormessaging protocols, may be utilized as one skilled in the art wouldreadily appreciate. The instruction may be for forwarding only shortmessages, or alternatively for forwarding both short messages and voicecalls for first mobile communication device 860. Such instruction mayinclude, as entered by the user in the message field, a command and aforwarding address (e.g. MSISDN).

In response to receiving this instruction, home SMS-SC 890 forwards theinstruction or a corresponding instruction to home PLMN 854 forprocessing of the same (step 904 of FIG. 9). Home PLMN 854 then causessuch instruction to be sent to virtual mobile equipment 856 (step 906 ofFIG. 9). Virtual mobile equipment 856 receives such instruction alongwith the first address and the second address. In response, virtualmobile equipment 856 is now assigned to the first address for shortmessage communications (and/or other communications) and causes anassociation to be made between the first address and the second addressand stored for message forwarding purposes. This association may bestored as a record in a database, along with additional such records forother mobile communication devices.

Next, first mobile communication device 860 causes a deregistrationmessage to be sent in home PLMN 854 for affecting the HLR/VLR 892 (step908 of FIG. 9). In GSM, this deregistration message may be or includewhat is referred to as an “IMSI detach” message. The deregistrationmessage causes the location of first mobile communication device 860 inHLR/VLR 892 to be set to be unavailable or unknown. Immediatelyfollowing this operation, virtual mobile equipment 856 causes aregistration message to be sent in home PLMN 854 for affecting theHLR/VLR 892 (step 910 of FIG. 9). The registration message from virtualmobile equipment 856 includes the first address of first mobilecommunication device 860, as virtual mobile equipment 856 will nowbehave as if it were first mobile communication device 860 (at least forshort message receipt). In GSM, this registration message may be orinclude what is referred to as an “IMSI attach” message. Theregistration message causes the location for the first address to “pointto” virtual mobile equipment 856, as stored in HLR/VLR 892. Shortmessages having destination addresses that match the first address willnow be directed to virtual mobile equipment 856 in home PLMN 854, whichwill forward as described in relation to process operations 899 in FIG.8.

Process operations 952 for disabling the message forwarding feature willnow be described. A message forwarding cancelling or disable instructionis sent from first mobile communication device 860 to home PLMN 854(step 912 of FIG. 9). The instruction may include the first address offirst mobile communication device 860. The first address may be impliedand supplied via Caller ID, for example. This instruction may be enteredin by the end user via the user interface (keyboard, keypad, touchscreen display, etc.) of first mobile communication device 860. Forexample, the message forwarding disable instruction may be entered in asa short message (which is actually a control message to home PLMN 854)and sent to home SMS-SC 890. SMS commands, USSD strings, or any othersuitable messaging and/or messaging protocols, may be utilized as oneskilled in the art may readily appreciate. The instruction may be forcancelling forwarding of short messages only, or alternatively forcancelling forwarding of both short messages and voice calls for firstmobile communication device 860. Such instruction may include a commandas entered by the user in the message field.

In response to receiving this instruction, home SMS-SC 890 forwards theinstruction or a corresponding instruction to home PLMN 854 forprocessing of the same (step 914 of FIG. 9). Home PLMN 854 then causessuch instruction to be sent to virtual mobile equipment 856 (step 916 ofFIG. 9). Virtual mobile equipment 856 receives such instruction alongwith the first address. In response, virtual mobile equipment 856 is nowdeassigned from the first address for short message communications(and/or other communications) and may cause the association previouslymade between the first address and the second address to be removed(unless retained for subsequent use). This association may be deleted inthe record in the database.

Next, virtual mobile equipment 856 causes a deregistration message to besent in home PLMN 854 for affecting the HLR/VLR 892 (step 918 of FIG.9). In GSM, this deregistration message may be or include what isreferred to as an “IMSI detach” message. The deregistration messagecauses the location in HLR/VLR 892 to be set to be unavailable orunknown. Immediately following this operation, first mobilecommunication device 860 causes a registration message to be sent inhome PLMN 854 for affecting the HLR/VLR 892 (step 920 of FIG. 9). Theregistration message from first mobile communication device 860 includesthe first address of first mobile communication device 860, as virtualmobile equipment 856 will no longer behave as if it were first mobilecommunication device 860 (at least for short message receipt). In GSM,this registration message may be or include what is referred to as an“IMSI attach” message. The registration message causes the location forthe first address in HLR/VLR 892 to no longer “point to” virtual mobileequipment 856. Short messages having destination addresses that matchthe first address will now be directed directly to first mobilecommunication device 860 in home PLMN 854, which will delivered normallyas described in relation to process operations 898 in FIG. 8.

Alternatively, message forwarding instructions may be automaticallygenerated by the network in response to detecting or identifyingpredetermined conditions associated with first mobile communicationdevice 860. Thus, as an alternative, or in addition to, the techniquesdescribed in relation to FIG. 9, the message forwarding may be enabledand/or disabled in response to predetermined conditions which aredetected or identified in the wireless network. The predeterminedcondition may be: an expired period of time over which first mobilecommunication device 860 is unavailable in the network; an indicationthat a memory of first mobile communication device 860 for short messagestorage is above a predetermined threshold (e.g. such memory storage is“full”); or periods of calendar dates and/or time over which shortmessages should be forwarded and not so forwarded; as some examples.Again, the second address for message forwarding enabling may be impliedand/or supplied if indicated or stored previously, or provided as apredetermined address (e.g. in the case where short messages are to besubmitted for long term storage in a database).

Thus, methods and apparatus for use in forwarding short messages havebeen described. One illustrative method involves equipment in a wirelesscommunication network which is adapted to receive an assignment of anaddress which is normally utilized to identify a mobile communicationdevice in the wireless communication network. An association is storedbetween the address and an alternate address which is utilized toidentify an alternate communication device. A short message having adestination address that matches the address is received at theequipment. In response to receiving the short message, the short messageis sent to the alternate address for delivery to the alternatecommunication device based on the stored association between the addressand the alternate address. As apparent, the equipment itself is adaptedto receive an assignment of an address normally utilized to identify themobile communication device in the wireless communication network. Theequipment includes one or more processors which are adapted to maintainaccess to storage of an association between the address and an alternateaddress utilized to identify an alternate communication device; receivea short message having a destination address that matches the address;and cause the short message to be sent to the alternate address fordelivery to the alternate communication device.

Techniques of the present disclosure extend to functionality provided inthe mobile communication device and other entities as well. Oneillustrative method in a mobile communication device is for use incontrolling a forwarding of short messages in a wireless communicationnetwork. The mobile communication device is associated with an addressutilized to identify the mobile communication device in the wirelesscommunication network. In response to receiving, via a user interface ofthe mobile communication device, a user input comprising a messageforwarding enable instruction or message, the mobile communicationdevice deregisters its location from the wireless communication networkwith respect to the address and causes a message forwarding enablemessage to be sent to equipment in the wireless communication network.This message forwarding enable message is defined to cause the equipmentto register a location of the equipment in the wireless communicationnetwork with respect to the address, so that the equipment can receiveshort messages addressed to the address and forward the short messagesto an alternate address which identifies an alternate communicationdevice. In response to receiving, via the user interface, a user inputcomprising a message forwarding disable instruction or message, themobile communication device registers its location in the wirelesscommunication network with respect to the address and causes a messageforwarding disable message to be sent to the equipment in the wirelesscommunication network. The message forwarding disable message is definedto cause the equipment to deregister its location from the wirelesscommunication network with respect to the address. As apparent, themobile communication device adapted to control the forwarding of shortmessages includes a user interface; a wireless transceiver; and one ormore processors coupled to the user interface and the wirelesstransceiver.

The above-described embodiments of invention are intended to be examplesonly. For example, the forwarding of messages may apply to other typesof messages such as email messages. Alterations, modifications, andvariations may be effected to particular embodiments by those of skillin art without departing from scope of invention, which is definedsolely by claims appended hereto.

1. A method in equipment of a wireless communication network for use inforwarding short messages, the equipment being adapted to receive anassignment of an address which is utilized to identify a mobilecommunication device in the wireless communication network, the methodcomprising the acts of: storing an association between the address andan alternate address which is utilized to identify an alternatecommunication device; receiving, at the equipment, a short messagehaving a destination address that matches the address; and in responseto receiving the short message: causing the short message to be sent tothe alternate address for delivery to the alternate communication devicebased on the stored association between the address and the alternateaddress.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the equipment comprises avirtual mobile equipment in the wireless communication network.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, which is embodied in a computer program productcomprising a computer readable medium and computer instructions storedin the computer readable medium, where the computer instructions areexecutable by one or more processors of the equipment to perform theacts of the method.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the address is aMobile Station International ISDN (MSISDN).
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the short message comprises one of a Short Message Service (SMS)message and a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the alternate communication device comprises analternate mobile communication device adapted to operate in the wirelesscommunication network.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternatecommunication device comprises a server.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the alternate communication device comprises a database serverfor storing short messages for the mobile communication device in adatabase.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response toreceiving the assignment, causing the equipment to be registered in thewireless communication network with the address.
 10. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving, at the equipment, a message forwardingenable instruction; and wherein the equipment is assigned to the addressin response to receiving the message forwarding enable instruction. 11.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, at the equipment,a message forwarding enable instruction having the address and thealternate address; and wherein the equipment is assigned the alternateaddress in response to receiving the message forwarding enableinstruction.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingthe address from the mobile communication device via the wirelesscommunication network.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the equipmentis assigned to the address in response to a message forwarding enablefunction being activated for and/or by the mobile communication device.14. The method of claim 1, wherein the equipment is assigned the addressin response to a message forwarding enable function being activated forand/or by the mobile communication device, the method further comprisingthe acts of: in response to a message forwarding disable function forand/or by the first mobile communication device: deassigning the firstaddress from the equipment, so that the first mobile communicationdevice receives short messages having the destination addresses thatmatch the first address.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying a predetermined condition in the wireless communicationnetwork; and wherein the equipment is assigned the address in responseto identifying the predetermined condition.
 16. Equipment for use in awireless communication network for forwarding short messages, theequipment being adapted to receive an assignment of an address utilizedto identify a mobile communication device in the wireless communicationnetwork, the equipment comprising: one or more processors; the one ormore processors being adapted to: maintain access to storage of anassociation between the address and an alternate address utilized toidentify an alternate communication device; receive a short messagehaving a destination address that matches the address; and cause theshort message to be sent to the alternate address for delivery to thealternate communication device.
 17. The equipment of claim 16, whereinthe alternate communication device comprises an alternate mobilecommunication device adapted to operate in the wireless communicationnetwork.
 18. The equipment of claim 16, wherein the alternatecommunication device comprises a server.
 19. The equipment of claim 16,wherein the alternate communication device comprises a database serverfor storing short messages for the mobile communication device in adatabase.
 20. The equipment of claim 16, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further adapted to: in response to receiving theassignment, cause the equipment to be registered in the wirelesscommunication network with the address.
 21. The equipment of claim 16,wherein the one or more processors are further adapted to: receive amessage forwarding enable instruction; and wherein being assigned theaddress at the equipment is caused in response to receiving the messageforwarding enable instruction.
 22. The equipment of claim 16, whereinthe one or more processors are further adapted to: receive a messageforwarding enable instruction having the address and the alternateaddress; and wherein being assigned to the address at the equipment iscaused in response to receiving the message forwarding enableinstruction.
 23. The equipment of claim 16, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further adapted to: receive the alternate address fromthe mobile communication device via the wireless communication network.24. The equipment of claim 16, wherein the equipment is assigned theaddress when a message forwarding enable function is activated forand/or by the first mobile communication device.
 25. The equipment ofclaim 16, wherein the equipment is assigned the address when a messageforwarding enable function is activated for and/or by the mobilecommunication device, the one or more processors being further adaptedto: when a message forwarding disable function is activated for and/orby the mobile communication device: being deassigned from the address,so that the mobile communication device receives short messages havingthe destination addresses that match the address.
 26. A method in amobile communication device for use in controlling a forwarding of shortmessages in a wireless communication network, the method comprising theacts of: receiving, via a user interface, a user input comprising amessage forwarding enable instruction or message; in response to thereceiving of the user input comprising the message forwarding enableinstruction or message: causing a message forwarding enable message tobe sent to equipment in the wireless communication network, the messageforwarding enable message being defined to cause the equipment toregister its location in the wireless communication network with respectto an address associated with the mobile communication device, forreceipt and forwarding of short messages addressed to the address to analternate address which identifies an alternate communication device;receiving, via the user interface, a user input comprising a messageforwarding disable instruction or message; and in response to thereceiving of the user input comprising a message forwarding disableinstruction or message: causing a message forwarding disable message tobe sent to the equipment in the wireless communication network, themessage forwarding disable message being defined to cause the equipmentto deregister its location from the wireless communication network withrespect to the address.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:in response to the receiving of the user input comprising the messageforwarding disable instruction or message: registering a location of themobile communication device in the wireless communication network withrespect to the address.
 28. The method of claim 26, further comprising:in response to the receiving of the user input comprising the messageforwarding enable instruction or message: deregistering a location ofthe mobile communication device from the wireless communication networkwith respect to the address.
 29. The method of claim 26, furthercomprising: in response to the receiving of the user input comprisingthe message forwarding enable instruction or message: providing theaddress with the message forwarding enable message for use by theequipment in registering with the address.
 30. The method of claim 26,further comprising: in response to the receiving of the user inputcomprising the message forwarding enable instruction or message:providing the address and the alternate address in association with themessage forwarding disable message for the equipment.
 31. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the first address is a Mobile Station InternationalISDN (MSISDN).
 32. The method of claim 26, wherein the short messagecomprises one of a Short Message Service (SMS) message and a MultimediaMessaging Service (MMS) message.
 33. The method of claim 26, which isembodied in a computer program product comprising a computer readablemedium and computer instructions stored in the computer readable medium,where the computer instructions are executable by one or more processorsof the mobile communication device to perform the acts of the method.34. A mobile communication device which is adapted to control aforwarding of short messages in a wireless communication network, themobile communication device comprising: a wireless transceiver; one ormore processors coupled to the user interface and the wirelesstransceiver; the one or more processors being operative to: receive, viaa user interface, a user input comprising a message forwarding enableinstruction or message; in response to the receiving of the user inputcomprising the message forwarding enable instruction or message: cause amessage forwarding enable message to be sent to equipment in thewireless communication network through the wireless transceiver, themessage forwarding enable message being defined to cause the equipmentto register its location in the wireless communication network withrespect to an address associated with the mobile communication device,for receipt and forwarding of short messages addressed to the address toan alternate address which identifies an alternate communication device;receive, via the user interface, a user input comprising a messageforwarding disable instruction or message; and in response to thereceiving of the message forwarding disable instruction or message:cause a message forwarding disable message to be sent to the equipmentin the wireless communication network through the wireless transceiver,the message forwarding disable message being defined to cause theequipment to deregister its location from the wireless communicationnetwork with respect to the address.
 35. The mobile communication deviceof claim 34 wherein the one or more processors are further operative to,in response to the receiving of the user input comprising the messageforwarding disable instruction or message, register a location of themobile communication device in the wireless communication network withrespect to the first address.
 36. The mobile communication device ofclaim 34, wherein the one or more processors are further operative to,in response to the receiving of the user input comprising the messageforwarding enable instruction or message, deregister a location of themobile communication device from the wireless communication network withrespect to the address.
 37. The mobile communication device of claim 34,wherein the one or more processors are further operative to, in responseto the receiving of the user input comprising the message forwardingenable instruction or message, provide the address with the messageforwarding enable message for use by the equipment in registering withthe address.
 38. The mobile communication device of claim 34, whereinthe one or more processors are further operative to, in response to thereceiving of the user input comprising the message forwarding enableinstruction or message, provide the address and the alternate address inassociation with the message forwarding disable message for theequipment.
 39. The mobile communication device of claim 34, wherein theaddress is a Mobile Station International ISDN (MSISDN).
 40. The mobilecommunication device of claim 34, wherein the short message comprisesone of a Short Message Service (SMS) message and a Multimedia MessagingService (MMS) message.